Frequently
Asked Questions
Do I need an
appointment?
No. In general, the Health Center is a walk-in clinic with no
appointment necessary. However, we do make appointments for women's
health care.
Patients are seen first-come,
first-serve except at the discretion of the nurse, when a patient
may be seen ahead of others due to the severity of his or her
illness. Usually patients are seen and treated within 1 - 2 hours of
coming to the Health Center. Please allow sufficient time to wait
when you come to the Health Center.
Who will treat
me when I go to the Health Center?
The Health Center is staffed by nurses, nurse practitioners
and physicians. A nurse is in the Health Center, Monday through
Thursday 9 - 4:30 PM, Friday, 9 - 2:00 PM. The nurse is able to
evaluate your illness and to treat minor illness. Everyday, during a
portion of the day, a physician or nurse practitioner is in the
Health Center and can treat these and other illnesses. If the nurse
believes you need to see the nurse practitioner or physician, he or
she will make arrangements for you to see them. For updated
information on the physician and nurse practitioner hours click this
link.
What do I need to do if I
need to see the physician?
If you need to see the physician, you should
come to the Health Center to have your chart pulled and your vital
signs taken (temperature and blood pressure) at least 2 hours before
the physicians posted hours.
What do I do if I am sick
and the clinic is closed?
If you are sick after
hours, these facilities may be helpful:
Tift Regional Medical Center 229 382-7120
Emergency Department
Fast-Track After Hours
Clinic
Tift County Health Department 229 386-8373
Quick Care (Dr Robert Bowman) 229 388-0266
Affinity Health Group 229 391-4100
Tift Area Mental Health 229 391-2300
24-Hour Mental Health Crisis Line 1-800-715-4225
A map to Tift Regional
Medical Center is available at
http://www.tiftgeneral.com/body.cfm?id=25
If you have a private
health care provider in the community you may want to contact this
provider's office.
Quick Care is an urgent
care clinic operated by Dr. Robert Bowman. It is located near
Wal-Mart on Highway 82. It is open 8 AM - 7 PM Monday through Friday
and 8 AM - 5 PM on Saturday.
You are responsible for
the cost of care you receive if you access care in these or any
other community clinic.
Can I get an
excuse for class or work at the clinic?
If you are seen in the Health Center, we can give you a card
that indicates that you were seen in the Health Center. We have a
policy of not discussing your health care with your employers or
teachers.
What services are available at the Health
Center?
We diagnose and treat minor, acute illness such as colds,
sore throats and bronchitis. We also see women for women's health
care. We are able to
counsel women on their family planning options. We diagnose and
treat STDs. We maintain a stock of commonly used medications and
contraceptives to dispense to patients. We have a variety of lab
tests in the clinic such as tests for Strep throat and urine
pregnancy tests. We are able to draw blood to send to a private lab
in the community.
If you are treated with medications
dispensed from the Health Center or if lab work is sent out, there
is a small charge for these items.
If you need more intensive or
specialized care, we can refer you to resources for this care. Any
costs associated with health care outside of the Student Health
Center is the responsibility of the patient.
Can I get tested
for HIV at the Health Center?
Yes. We use a finger stick test with results ready in 10
minutes. Testing is done anonymously. There is charge to
cover the cost of the test.
Who can use the Health Center?
Any student who is taking six or more semester hours pays the
student health fee and is entitled to the services offered at the
Health Center.
Can I have my
immunization/health records sent to another college?
Yes. We maintain immunization and health records for 5 years.
We require that you come by the Health Center and fill out the
appropriate form or fax us a signed request. Your written permission
gives us the legal basis to release your records to others. We
strongly encourage everyone to keep a copy of their immunization
records with their important personal papers. There will be a
service fee.
Will the nurse come
to the campus apartments to see about me when I am sick?
No. The staff does not make house calls. Students need to
come into the clinic where the equipment required to properly evaluate
patients is kept. Students too sick to come to the clinic need to
consider calling 911 for emergency assistance.
If I am temporarily
disabled, can I get special parking privileges?
Yes. Go to the Georgia State Patrol Station on South Highway
41 (toward Adel, in front of the Airport) and get an application
form, DS-29. Go to your physician, have them fill it out and sign
it. Take the form to the ABAC Police Station to get a handicap
permit. The DS-29 form may be downloaded from this
link
If I have a temporary
disability and I need crutches or a wheelchair, does the Student
Health Center have these items?
Yes. The Student Health Center has
crutches and wheelchairs for loan. We have a process to check out
these items and we will instruct you in the use of these items. It
is the responsibility of the student to use the crutches or
wheelchairs in a safe, responsible manner and to return the
equipment in good condition.
I don't have health
insurance. What can I do about that?
Health insurance is as
important as bread, water and a roof over your head. People without
health insurance find it virtually impossible to afford adequate
health care. You need to investigate all your options for getting
and keeping health insurance. Can you be covered under your parents'
policies? Does your employer have health insurance plans available
to you? If you need to find a private plan, take a look at the plan
offered through Pearce and Pearce at this
link.